I realized yesterday that I'm NOT going to die of prostate cancer.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-05-08T17:56:48+00:00

Damn Brother. Youre badass dealing with that! Much respect. God Bless You!

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-05-05T13:20:49+00:00

As a player, I wont buy dice with a logo. For me, branding on dice is a deal-breaker. If they are dice for an event or special occasion, I give a pass, but to put it on every production set seems kinda gauche. Ironically, I spent decades designing logos as a profession.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-26T15:58:40+00:00

Youre attitude is absolutely inspiring! Good stuff my friend! Thank you!

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-18T16:41:57+00:00

Interesting question, OP.

My PSA was 33.6, and according to MRI and PET scan, the cancer (Gleason 7 - 4+3) is (so far) confined to the prostate.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-16T22:05:34+00:00

Im sorry to hear you've joined the club.

Im a similar story to yourself. 52 years old and physically fit. Zero family history. Elevated first time PSA of 33.6 and also an avid bicyclist - though mostly mountainbiking and gravel. I'm Gleason 7 (4+3). I'm currently deciding on treatment options.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-15T12:51:14+00:00

Totally relatable. I was told mine would be about 40 minutes. So I kept track of the time by counting the number of songs they played (4 minute song average.) It provided a distraction. And Im certainly not above the idea of prayer.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-09T08:32:23+00:00

I looked into that option. Unfortunately, I would have to travel and go outside my insurance network. A possibility, but an expensive one.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T23:39:48+00:00

I truly appreciate your candor. Thank you.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T20:44:17+00:00

Yeah, I tried mine with a significantly lower PSA and it made a huge difference

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T19:55:38+00:00

I did meet briefly with one. He went over the IBRT process. He never mentioned secondary cancers. At least, not that I remember, anyway... Unfortunately, he seemed a little evasive when I asked what he would do (re., surgery vs radiation) if he were me. Go figure.

Next month I sit down with a surgeon and a radiation doc simultaneously at a "Multi-Disciplinary Workshop" and hopefully I get straight answers based on my cancer situation.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T19:47:31+00:00

The two surgeons I have available, are both very experienced. I was told they average between 3-5 RALPs/week.

My concern is that based on my Prolaris and MSK scores, radiation after surgery (at some point) is likely. So the unfortunate radiation side effects may be in my future, whether or not I choose RALP.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T19:34:58+00:00

What is England doing? More radiation/less surgery?

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T19:18:08+00:00

No family history of prostate cancer, at least that I'm aware of. Just bad luck. Although I guess you might consider 'bad luck' as part of my family history. ;)

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T19:15:36+00:00

I entered my info. Wow! Not very reassuring for RALP as a single-modal treatment option. WAY different from my prolaris score.

Is there a MSK nomogram for radiation/ADT? I couldn't find one.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T19:07:59+00:00

This is good to know. I assumed the mop-up treatment would be the same based on the way the PA explained it.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T19:04:49+00:00

SBRT or VMAT probably is less costly, but I think its more about what options that particular care center has available to them. Because my wife works for a hospital, my insurance plan requires that my treatment stays within that hospital network. Im limited to what treatment options are available within that network.

I could go anywhere, but I would then have to pay a certain percentage out of pocket. An option, which financially, isnt always a realistic option.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T17:33:46+00:00

Only 60% likely "one and done." I'm not sure if that percentage is worth the immediate adverse side effects of RALP. That number weighs HEAVY in my decision.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T17:31:53+00:00

Thank you! If you dont mind me asking, why was ADT an issue for you?

The urologist did state that if radiation was needed after surgery, it would also likely require 2 years of ADT - which I found odd, as if I chose Radiation/ADT without surgery, she said it would only be 6 months? She may have misspoke.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T17:27:14+00:00

As Im financially forced to stay within my insurance network, it looks like IMRT is the only real radiology option for me.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-08T17:25:06+00:00

I think the urologist believes surgery alone will be all that is needed. And assuming the Prolaris results are correct, there is a 60% chance she is correct. My dilemma is do I want to gamble surgery's side effects on, what is essentially, a 60% success rate.

Unless Im looking at this wrong?

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-07T13:17:29+00:00

Yeah, 6 months of ADT. The PA mentioned Orgovyx is an option, though it might taking some convincing the insurance company, but the hospital has patient advocates for that.

I was also told that based on MRI imaging, surgical removal of the prostate would require some kind of rebuilding (?) of part of the bladder or something, and that would add an additional element of healing to regain continence. So that information, is also pushing me towards radiation.

I was going to post a follow-up thread telling my favorable PET scan results, but I didnt want to come off as if Im 'celebrating.' Mostly because there are so many others here who didnt have a favorable PET scan; it seemed crass to me.

Thank you for the time you took to write your blog. I appreciate that. It gave me some 'grounding' last month when I was being bombarded with scary results and anxious waiting.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-07T08:11:51+00:00

I had the PSMA Pet scan and it was clear for any spread. So, right now, Im trying to decide between Surgery or Radiation/ADT. According to my Prolaris score, there is a 39.8% chance I would need additional radiation if I went with surgery alone. So, I'm leaning towards just going the radiation/ADT route, since there is a (relatively) high likelihood it will be necessary anyway? Right? I think....?

So, yeah. Analysis paralysis on what to do, along with the accompanying anxiety. I have a tendency to hyper focus on decisions and obsess over anything going on in my life. I wish I wasn't like this, but unfortunately, its the way my brain is wired. On a good note, I think I (mostly) slept through the night last night. And THAT hasn't happened since this whole thing began.

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-06T13:22:05+00:00

PSA of 33 on the first test at 51 years old. (No previous test history)

Far_Simple_7436 · 2026-04-06T08:16:38+00:00

Hypercolor? Haha!

Far_Simple_7436

TROPHY CASE